With nothing but my and my motorcycle I set out on a one month cross-county trip. I am liveblogging my way across the States and you can track my progress in real-time. -Don McKenzie

May 31 2009, 12:28pm

Some excellent advice from Velimir

Velimir went on a similar trip a while back so I asked him for advice, below is some excerpts from his response. Thanks Velimir! Short version: The best advice I can give you is to pack light, don't overload your bike and stop often as you are riding (it is the hardest thing to adhere to as the time passes).

Longer version:

  • Sign up for CAA plus service - in case you ever have to tow your bike
  • Carry back up credit cards and notify your bank you'll be traveling so they don't block your funds
  • Zipplock all your documents and electronics
  • There are a lot's of tolls in US >> have a tank bag with easy access to coins
  • Get back up rain gloves
  • Have easy access to your raingear, sweater and tools!!
  • Lube your bike's chain every night
  • Throttle Rocker is great accessory for long highway stretches
  • Get into a routine: don't ride on empty stomach and take stretching breaks
  • Force yourself to always have breakfast, lunch and dinner this way you'll be better focused and more alert

Avoid:

  • New Jersey ;) >> worse roads and tons of constructions
  • NYC was one of the worse traveling experiences due to bad roads + heavy traffic (avoid if possible)
  • LA rush hour is the same thing as the above

Do visit:

  • I-80 (from Reno to San Francisco)
  • Route 66 and the Dragon in TN (http://www.tailofthedragon.com)
  • http://www.barbermuseum.org
  • Grand Canyon (South Rim, avoid North Rim)

In the beginning I use to ride long into nights to rack up more miles, but the second week I decided to switch and ride only during the day - it's better this way!! If you go to bed earlier, you will end up waking up earlier and riding in warm sunshine vs. sleeping in and being cold at night. Try to avoid riding during rainstorms (sit them out and do more trip planning and research). Watch weather and radar reports. Carry extra bungee cords, few garbage bags and roll of duck tape. Some states have "no helmet law" - but force yourself to ride with your riding gear at all times despite the hot weather - it would not be a fun trip back if you were to have an accident far away from home. Try to stay bellow 80mph in USA >> cops will have no sympathy for you if you speed more than 100mph! tip: at some USA gas pumps Canadian credit cards won't be preapproved for tanking gas without the proper ZIP code >> so use your bank card (which only requres your safety PIN) to get around this catch 22.

  • email me if you need advice or help
  • good luck and have fun
  • safe travels!!